Rebirth of the Thunder God

"After all, she is a princess of the imperial family."

Princess.

A term referring to the daughter of an imperial prince.

Imperial Prince was a title given to members of the imperial family, excluding the crown prince.

The reason Namgung Hui was surprised was not because she was a princess.

He had somewhat anticipated it from the moment he heard the surname Ju.

But what was more surprising was that among the forces of the Hoicheon Association, the Imperial Heaven belonged to the emperor.

To think that the emperor's shadow was cast over the Mount Hua Sect, and to the extent that she would participate in the martial arts tournament representing the Mount Hua Sect.

Namgung Hui's gaze towards the Western Phoenix became much sharper.

A momentum that could pierce her with just his eyes.

How on earth did she gain the trust of the Mount Hua Sect Leader to the point of sharing the annotations of the Ten-Thousand-Li Purple Mist?

Had the Mount Hua Sect really been devoured by the Hoicheon Association?

He couldn't be sure, but Namgung Hui shook his head.

The Mount Hua Sect Leader was an outstanding master, to the point of being in the upper ranks of the ten great masters.

On top of that, having learned the complete Purple Mist Divine Art, he would have only gotten stronger, not weaker.

There was no way he would cooperate with the Hoicheon Association, which had targeted his sect's sacred artifact.

'There's no other way but to meet the Western Phoenix and ask her. What on earth is she plotting, pretending to be a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.'

"Then, let's begin the finals of the women's division martial arts tournament~!"

As the announcer counted to three as usual, Beak Seolhwa and Ju Hwayeong drew their swords.

Perhaps because Ju Hwayeong was said to be experienced, she showed no signs of nervousness despite it being the important final match.

Rather, seeing Beak Seolhwa standing calmly, she showed a slight sign of admiration.

"Hoo... Not only is your face beautiful, but your heart is also firm. Have you no thought of becoming my person?"

As soon as Beak Seolhwa heard her way of speaking, goosebumps rose on her skin.

And at the same time, she gained an insight.

'Did I sound like that whenever I spoke that way? I should never use it again. Ugh, goosebumps.'

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to fight with my mouth. If you really want to fight with your mouth, I'll introduce you to someone else after the duel. Let's finish this duel before that."

"Hahaha! Yes. You are right. A martial artist speaks with martial arts. I haven't really seen the martial arts of the Moon Maiden Palace, so I'll yield the first move."

Beak Seolhwa, like some others, was a person who pursued practical benefits over empty formalities.

There was no reason to refuse the offer of the first move.

-Jjwajajajak.

Beak Seolhwa spread frost on the dueling stage and slid forward.

The dueling stage, covered in ice, had extremely low friction, allowing her to exert considerable propulsion with little force.

On top of that.

"W-what is this!"

It could also limit the opponent's range of movement.

Ju Hwayeong, experiencing this absurd situation for the first time, couldn't even properly balance herself.

But she too had accumulated experience through numerous duels.

She immediately stabbed her sword into the ground, quickly stepped on the hilt, and bounced her body into the air.

No matter how free one's movement was on this ice, they wouldn't be able to kick off the slippery ground and follow.

But as if to mock Ju Hwayeong's prediction, Beak Seolhwa leaped into the air after her.

-Swaeaek!

Currently, Ju Hwayeong had left her sword on the ground.

Unless one was skilled in fist and palm techniques, it was impossible to block a sword with bare hands.

But surprisingly, Ju Hwayeong skillfully deflected the sword strike with her hands, then took out a flail from her waist and even attempted a counterattack.

It happened so naturally, like flowing water, as if it had been planned beforehand.

Namgung Hui, watching this, once again recalled Ju Hwayeong's origin.

'The military used the Eighteen Arms of Martial Arts. A flail is no different from an iron flail, so she must have learned the martial arts of that side as well.'

-Tingting! Chaengchaeng!

They exchanged several blows in the air and landed on the ground.

Beak Seolhwa had thought Ju Hwayeong would be flustered by her surprise attack, but she had blocked it better than expected.

Perhaps because of that, Ju Hwayeong's nose was held high.

"Now that I've yielded the first move, I can go in, right? Prepare yourself."

Unlike Ju Hwayeong's relaxed tone, she was full of venom, striking the ground with her flail and steeling her fighting spirit.

She had already retrieved the sword she had stuck in the ground and re-gripped the hilt.

-Pang!

Perhaps because she had struck the ground with her flail, all the thin ice was crushed and could no longer restrain her steps.

Her freed feet kicked off the ground and advanced towards Beak Seolhwa.

'She has properly learned the Dark Fragrance Steps as well. I don't know what the Sect Leader was thinking, accepting a princess as a disciple, but that is by no means at a level of having stolen and learned it.'

On top of that, the Plum Blossom Sword Art that harmonized with the Dark Fragrance Steps also contained its essence, so it was not to be taken lightly.

The Plum Blossom Sword Art also contained the mysteries of the Phantom Sword, so its changes were unpredictable.

-Hwik, hwik, hwik!

It was better to dodge like this than to clash swords.

When one first saw the Plum Blossom Sword Art, they would admire its beautiful changing techniques.

And when they faced it, they would be flustered by the unexpected sword paths.

But Beak Seolhwa was different.

'That's the martial art the Sword God used. This time, I'll make you realize that the Jade Maiden Sword Art I created is greater.'

Rather, at the feast of rampant changing techniques, Beak Seolhwa also lent a hand and added a dazzling technique.

-Chingchingching! Chaengchaengchaeng!

Like watching the fireworks that had embroidered the sky before.

Sparks flew every time the swords clashed.

On top of that, the elegant and splendid trajectory of the swords made the audience nod their heads in admiration.

"It's like a fairy came down from heaven and is performing a sword dance. Like the Jade Qilin yesterday, the young martial artists these days are not only outstanding in martial arts but also in appearance."

"Good grief. Some people don't even have one, how can I live with this sorrow? By the way, looking at it like this, aren't the Jade Qilin and the White Phoenix a pretty good match?"

"What's the use? The Moon Maiden Palace is a sacred ground forbidden to men, and they are celibate."

Namgung Hui also felt a pang in his chest upon hearing the words of the audience.

He himself had gone out of his way for marriage, but the fact that someone else couldn't seemed to have hurt his heart.

'Seolhwa too. Looking at her like this, it's a pity. To have such a beautiful face and outstanding martial arts, but to have to live a life of celibacy is too unfortunate.'

But he also didn't want to imagine Beak Seolhwa marrying someone else.

None of the Seven Dragons were a match for Beak Seolhwa.

And for those of a higher generation, the young-looking Beak Seolhwa was far too precious.

If he were to choose a suitable match.

'...There's no one but me?'

It wasn't just Namgung Hui's personal view.

Even looking at it from a very objective perspective that anyone could accept, there was no one who could compare to Beak Seolhwa other than Namgung Hui.

Appearance, martial arts, background.

And weren't even their mental ages similar?

Moreover, they were even struck by lightning at the same time, as if it were a fate connected by heaven.

'But we can't be together because of the rules of the Moon Maiden Palace. Seolhwa is just a friend.'

While Namgung Hui was lost in thought for a moment, the duel between Beak Seolhwa and Ju Hwayeong had entered a brief lull.

Ju Hwayeong, catching her breath, asked Beak Seolhwa.

"I have traveled all over the country and have seen almost all martial arts, I pride myself on that. But this is a truly unfamiliar martial art. What is its name?"

"I don't want to tell you."

"...?"

Beak Seolhwa let out a sigh and continued.

"It's the Jade Maiden Sword Art. If your curiosity is satisfied, let's finish this."

"Jade Maiden Sword Art. If someone else had used it, it would have just been tacky, but since you're using it, it suits you perfectly. Alright. Let's finish this."

Ju Hwayeong, having caught her breath, changed her ready stance.

A domineering momentum, unlike the Plum Blossom Sword Art.

It was a stance of the Plum Blossom Sword Art that Namgung Hui was also familiar with.

'The 18th form, Plum Enduring the Cold Snow.'

It means that the plum blossom endures the coldness of the snow.

A truly optimal technique to face Beak Seolhwa.

A powerful energy was shot from Ju Hwayeong's sword towards Beak Seolhwa.

-Chajajajak.

The frost that had formed on the air shattered and dissipated into water droplets.

When a rainbow even appeared on the dueling stage, the two had already crossed paths.

-Sagak.

With a cutting sound, the sleeve of Beak Seolhwa's robe was cut off.

In contrast, Ju Hwayeong's clothes were fine.

Only her complexion was not fine.

It gradually turned blue, and in the end, she knelt down.

"T-this is ice art! Were you perhaps a remnant of the Northern Heaven!"

Namgung Hui understood the words 'Northern Heaven' that Ju Hwayeong had uttered, but he couldn't understand her attitude.

The Northern Heaven might be a force that checked the Imperial Heaven, but weren't they still a force in the same boat?

He was just puzzled as to why she was spewing anger, mistaking Beak Seolhwa for a force of the Northern Heaven.

'Come to think of it, Seolhwa's current martial art has some ambiguous aspects to be considered that of the Moon Maiden Palace. It really resembles that of the North Sea. Could her parents be from there?'

Or it could be the fortuitous encounter of being struck by lightning, as Beak Seolhwa had said before.

However, it was the first time he had heard that lightning, which had the energy of extreme yang, would allow one to handle the energy of extreme yin.

In any case, the match was decided.

Ju Hwayeong, whose complexion had turned from pale to black, was the very picture of a loser.

With the cold ki having seeped into her insides like that, it would be impossible for her to even stand.

This principle of Penetrating Strength was also a realm far superior to sword ki, but since there were no such systematic rules yet, it was not a foul.

"Referee! This is a foul! Who on earth uses Penetrating Strength in a duel!"

The referee looked at his superior, but he just shook his head and said nothing.

"S-still, the established rules are the rules... Western Phoenix Ju Hwayeong is unable to fight, so she is defeated! The winner is the White Phoenix, Lady Beak Seolhwa!!!"

"No. This is..."

""Waaaahhh!!!!""

Ju Hwayeong's protest was buried in the cheers of the audience.

Her body trembled with injustice, but she soon changed her mind and left the dueling stage.

'That was definitely not the martial art of the Moon Maiden Palace I knew. It resembled that of the Northern Heaven, so I must investigate.'

Rather, she even wore a sinister smile and disappeared with quick steps.

Namgung Hui looked at Ju Hwayeong's back, then.

-Namgung Hui. I won, so where are you looking?

Hearing Beak Seolhwa's telepathic message, he quickly turned his head.

-I was just looking because it was a little suspicious. That person just now was a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.

-What about it?

-Ju Hwayeong, that person is a princess. A person from the imperial palace is a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect? Doesn't that smell suspicious?

-That's true. The flail earlier also resembled the martial arts of the military. I thought...

Just as Beak Seolhwa was about to send another telepathic message, the announcer called her name and had her stand on the podium.

"The Young Palace Mistress of the Moon Maiden Palace, the female warrior Beak Seolhwa, please come up to the podium. The award ceremony will be held."

Beak Seolhwa looked at Namgung Hui for a moment, then moved her steps.

"Yesterday, in the men's division match, the Small Rejuvenation Pill was awarded as a prize. And in the women's division match, the Dragon's Tooth Sword will be awarded. For reference, this Dragon's Tooth Sword, as its name suggests, is a sword made from the tooth of a dragon."

"Hey~ We don't even know if dragons exist, so what's with the dragon's tooth."

"That's right. If a dragon was really caught, would it only have a tooth? It should have skin and even a Yeouiju."

Namgung Hui agreed with the words of the audience, but on the other hand, he thought they only knew one thing and not the other.

'They seem to think you can only get a dragon's tooth if you catch a dragon. It could have given it itself.'

According to the information passed down in his sect, he had heard that the Azure Dragon had also torn off parts of its body and given them to people.

A tooth or a claw.

Besides that, it was said that there were also records of it trading scales or a few strands of its whiskers with immortals.

'In my opinion, that Dragon's Tooth Sword is real. The faint spiritual energy I feel is definitely a quality that cannot be imitated.'

He could tell this without even having to ask Chichi.

Beak Seolhwa, as if she had felt it too, stood before the podium with a very serious expression.

The award ceremony was also presided over by Great Master Gwangak, just like yesterday.

"Hoho. Even compared to the child called the Hidden Dragon I saw yesterday, you are not lacking at all. You are called the White Phoenix, right? You really look like a white phoenix."

"You praise me too much. I am still lacking in many ways to be called a phoenix."

"How can the two of you answer so similarly? Yes. There's no good in dragging this out, so let's give out the prize right away."

The Dragon's Tooth Sword, sheathed in a pure white scabbard.

Although it was not adorned with fancy decorations, that simplicity suited the Dragon's Tooth Sword even better.

The beauty of pure white.

The compatibility was so good that it looked as if it had been made for Beak Seolhwa, who was called the White Phoenix.

Beak Seolhwa, who received the Dragon's Tooth Sword, also seemed to like it and gave a bright smile.

To the point of creating the illusion that the world had brightened in an instant.

And at that moment.

-Peoeoong!!!

Fireworks lit up all around.

And then, people's screams were heard.